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ABSTRACT

This invention relates to methods and means for securing pants cuffs and otherwise raised or shortened pants legs. Some embodiments of the methods and means of the invention also incorporate additional functionality including, but not limited to communication, sensing, display and data processing elements. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 USC §119(e) and as set forth in the Application DataSheet, this utility application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. U.S. 61/536,006 (“the '006provisional”) which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention claims priority from the '006 provisional and expresslyincorporates by reference the disclosures contained therein in theirentirety, including but not limited to all patents, patent applications,and publications which are incorporated by reference in the '006provisional and which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

In the context of the instant disclosure, the term “software” is takenin the broadest sense of its ordinary meaning and illustrative examplesmay comprise, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:realized embodiments of algorithms in any form, code written in whole orin part in any programming, scripting or other language (including, butnot limited to, popular languages such as C++, Java, Visual Basic,Python, PHP, HTML, and/or device specific machine or assembly languages,etc. . . . ), programs, mobile and/or other applications (e.g., thosefor Android and iOS based systems), applets, scripts, operating systems(OS) and components of OS, embedded and other software and instructions,structured data, op codes, commands, executables, firmware, drivers,virtual machines, and/or instruction sets for a system. Software mayoperate at many levels including, but not limited to, over a distributedsystem (e.g., on a cloud computing or mobile network), on a particulardevice, on a local computer or other machine, embedded in an ASIC orother circuit, and running on top of one or more real or virtual levels,including but not limited to an OS and a hardware level.

In the context of the instant disclosure, the term “hardware” is takenin the broadest sense of its ordinary meaning and illustrative examplesmay comprise, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:smart and other scales, e-readers (e.g. Kindle™ and Nook™), hearingaids, laptop and desktop computers, alarms, smart phones, PDAs, othercommercially available electronic devices such as tablet PCs, netbooks,e-readers, pagers, beepers, cell phones, hearing aids, watchescomprising integrated and/or discrete circuits, monitors and displays,televisions, calculators, iPods™ and MP3 players, radios and stereos,speakers, microphones, remote controls, bar code readers, keyboards,cameras, other input devices, data acquisition systems, other physicaldevices and systems comprising integrated and/or discrete circuits,CPUs, hard drives, flash USB drives, other flash and solid state drives,programmable logic arrays, FPGAs, CPLDs, microcontrollers, digitalsignal processors, memories, receivers, transmitters, drivers, ADC's(analog-to-digital converters), DAC's (digital-to-analog converters),decoders, multiplexers, comparators, latches, gates, op amps, LNA (lownoise amplifiers), PLL (phase locked loops), antennae, coils, radiofrequency identification (“RFID”) devices, near-field communication(“NFC”) devices, capacitors, diodes including but not limited tolight-emitting diodes, inductors, resistors, transformers, solenoids,other analog circuits and components, other digital circuits andcomponents, other mixed-signal circuits and components, opticalcircuits, other electromagnetic circuits and components, biologicaland/or chemical circuits, assemblies of memristors, carbon nanotubes,and other circuits and systems comprised of circuits.

Some embodiments of the methods and means of the instant invention mayemploy one or more existing wireless and/or wired communicationprotocols, or other custom protocols. Illustrative examples of currentand historical protocols, programs and standards for digitalcommunication include: the Internet Protocol Suite; e-mail protocolssuch as POP (Post Office Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail TransferProtocol), IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), and MAPI (MessagingApplication Programming Interface); web browsers such as Safari™,Internet Explorer™ and Firefox™; messaging programs, protocols andstandards such as WLM (Windows Live Messenger), MSNP (MicrosoftNotification Protocol), AIM (AOL Instant Messenger), ICQ, XMPP(Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol), IRC (Internet Relay Chat),MIM (Mobile Instant Messaging), SMS (Short Message Service), WAP(Wireless Area Protocol), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), WLAN(Wireless Local Area Network), Bluetooth™, and Skype™; mobile standardssuch as GSM (Global System for Wideband Communications), W-CDMA(Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), andLTE-Advanced, WirelessMAN (Metropolitan Area Networks)-Advanced; NFC(near-field communications), and many others not addressed here. To theextent that documented versions of these protocols, programs andstandards are publicly accessible they are incorporated herein byreference. Likewise, some embodiments of the methods and/or means of theinstant invention may employ analog and/or mixed-signal methods ofcommunicating data or information. In addition, some embodiments of theinvention employ GPS (Global Positioning System) and aGPS (AssistedGlobal Positioning System) protocols and/or standards.

The following publications contain information related to the design,construction, development, fabrication, production, assembly, and otheraspects of some embodiments of the disclosed invention—including, butnot limited to, wearable and other devices, software and hardware suchas sensors and transducers, transmitters, receivers and other circuits,housings, programmable logic elements and chips, custom ASICs,electrical and mechanical switches, electrical and mechanicalregulators, etc.: Analysis and Design of Analog Integrated Circuits byPaul R. Gray, Paul J. Hurst, Stephen H. Lewis, Robert G. Meyer,published by John Wiley & Sons, copyright 2001; Digital Principles andDesign by Donald D. Givone, published by McGraw Hill copyright 2003;Physics by Paul A. Tipler, published by Worth Publishers, copyright1976; The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay, published by HoughtonMifflin, copyright 1988; CMOS Circuit Design, Layout and Simulation byR. Jacob Baker, published by the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers, copyright 2005; Microelectronic Circuits by Adel S. Sedra andKenneth C. Smith, published by Oxford University Press, copyright 1998;Thin Film Technology Handbook by Aicha Elshabini-Riad, Fred D. BarlowIII, published by McGraw-Hill, copyright 1998; Field and WaveElectromagnetics by David K. Cheng, published by Addison-Wesley,copyright 1989; VLSI for Wireless Communications by Bosco Leung,published by Prentice Hall, copyright 2002; Complete Wireless Design byCotter W. Sayre, published by McGraw Hill, copyright 2001; PatternClassification, Second edition by Richard Duda, Peter Hart and DavidStork, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., copyright 2001; C++ How toProgram, Third edition by H. Dietel & P. Dietel, published by PrenticeHall, copyright 2001; Professional Android 2 Application Development byRoto Meier, published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., copyright 2010; thevarious versions of the Android SDK; the various versions of theInternet Protocol Suite; the various versions of the iOS SDK; thevarious versions of the Windows and Windows Mobile SDKs. Allpublications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

The discussion of the background of the invention herein is included toexplain the context of the invention. Although each of the patents,patent applications, and publications cited herein are herebyincorporated by reference, neither the discussion of the background northe incorporation by reference is to be taken as an admission that anyaspect, element, embodiment, or feature of the invention was published,known, or part of the common general knowledge as of the priority dateof any claims of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and means for securingpants cuffs and otherwise raised or shortened pants legs. Someembodiments of the methods and means of the invention also incorporateadditional functionality including, but not limited to communication,sensing, display and data processing elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate specific examples of some embodiments of theinstant invention each comprising a clip and band.

FIG. 3 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a pin and a band.

FIG. 4 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a band.

FIG. 5 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a clip.

FIG. 6 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a pin.

FIG. 7 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention comprising a band disposed on an interior portion of arolled-up cuff.

FIG. 8 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention comprising a bracelet.

FIG. 9 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of theinvention comprising a button and a band.

FIG. 10 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention comprising loops and a band.

FIG. 11 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention comprising a band, an interior button and an exterior button.

FIG. 12 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a band and a button.

FIG. 13A illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of a cliphaving an integrated slot through which a band may be inserted and/orsituated. FIG. 13B illustrates another specific example of an embodimentof a clip. FIG. 13C illustrates one specific example of an embodiment ofa spring clip. FIG. 13D is a close-up schematic of a cut-away portion ofone specific example of a spring clip mechanism according to someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates another specific example of an embodiment of a clip.

FIG. 15 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention comprising a clip, a band, and tokens and charms.

FIG. 16A illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of a pin.FIG. 16B illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of a pincomprising a tapered screw having a head and a tip, and a mated nut cap.FIG. 16C illustrates specific examples of some embodiments of pinscomprising thin, sharp-tipped rods of different sizes having heads andtips, and fitted compression caps. FIG. 16D shows a schematicillustration of a safety pin which may be used according to someembodiments of methods of the instant invention.

FIG. 17 shows a drawing of a prototype of one specific example of anembodiment of the instant invention comprising a clip, a band, and atoken.

FIG. 18 shows a 3D CAD model of a prototype of one specific example ofan embodiment of a clip.

FIG. 19 shows a 3D CAD model of a prototype of one specific example ofan embodiment of a token.

FIG. 20 shows a sketch of a prototype of one specific example of anembodiment of the instant invention comprising a clip, a band and atoken.

FIGS. 21-23 are photographs of prototypes of three specific examples ofsome embodiments of the instant invention comprising one or more of aclip, a Velcro band and a dinosaur token.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and means for securing pants cuffs andotherwise raised or shortened pants legs. Some embodiments of themethods and means of the invention also incorporate additionalfunctionality including, but not limited to communication, sensing,display and data processing elements.

Although it is not believed that drawings are necessary for theunderstanding of the subject matter sought to be patented, forillustrative purposes we have included several figures related tospecific examples of embodiments of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a clip and band. In some embodiments, a band may beattached to, pass through, and/or be integrated with a clip.

FIG. 2 illustrates another specific example of an embodiment of theinstant invention comprising a clip and band; this illustrates the factthat in some embodiments of the invention, a band may cover all and/or aportion of a clip. For example, in some embodiments, a band could befastened and/or attached to an outer surface of a clip, or it could bestitched, formed or otherwise disposed around a clip.

FIG. 3 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a pin and a band; in this specific example, the pinpierces a pants cuff.

FIG. 4 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a band. In this specific illustration, no fasteneris shown, although in some embodiments, bands may comprise one or morestrips and/or assemblies with fastening elements.

FIG. 5 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention comprising a clip without a band. FIG. 6 illustrates onespecific example of an embodiment of the instant invention comprising apin without a band.

FIG. 7 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention comprising a band disposed on an interior of a rolled-upcuff—i.e. between a portion of the pant leg and an interior portion of acuff. In this specific example, the band is coated with an adhesive,although some embodiments may be secured to the pants legs and cuffsusing loops, stitches, clips, hooks, buttons, or other fastening means.Some embodiments of bands may be weighted—i.e. they may comprisematerial added to increase the weight of the bands.

FIG. 8 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention comprising a bracelet. In this specific example, the braceletcomprises a single surface, but in some embodiments, bracelets may havemore than one surface and may comprise more than one piece. For example,a string of pearls may be fastened around and/or attached to a cuffaccording to a specific example of one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of theinvention comprising a button and a band. In this specific example, oneor more buttons is sewn, stitched, and/or otherwise attached to theinterior of a pant leg and the band is attached to a cuff via one ormore of the buttons through a slit in the band.

FIG. 10 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of theinvention comprising loops and a band. In this specific illustration,the loops are glued (in some other embodiments, they may be stitched,sewn, or otherwise attached) to an interior portion of a pant leg and adetachable band is fed through the loops and its ends are fastenedtogether with a fastening means that is not illustrated in the figure.

FIG. 11 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention where a band is used to fasten an interior button to anexterior button and thereby to secure pants cuffs.

FIG. 12 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of the instantinvention where a band is fastened to an interior portion of a pant leg,e.g. using adhesive, and also fastened to a button on an exteriorportion of a pant leg. Various fastening means may be interchanged.

FIG. 13A illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of a cliphaving an integrated slot through which a band may be inserted and/orsituated. The specific semi-rigid clip illustrated in FIG. 13A furthercomprises a pair of inner surfaces formed so that the distance or gapbetween the inner surfaces is smaller, in one or more regions, than thethickness of the layers material comprising a pants cuff. In thisspecific example, when the inner surfaces of the clip are disposed, orslid, over a portion of a pants cuff, regions of the inner surfaces ofthe clip experience a force from fabric of the wider pants cuff pressingagainst them and this pressure torsions a portion of the clip connectingthe surfaces, which exerts a proportional compressive pressure or forceagainst the pants cuffs to hold them securely in place. FIG. 13Billustrates one specific example of an embodiment of a clip. FIG. 13Cillustrates one specific example of an embodiment of a spring clip,where a helical spring is used to provide compression force betweensurfaces of the clip. FIG. 13D is a close-up schematic of a cut-awayportion of one specific example of a spring clip mechanism comprising ahelical spring, an axle pin and in this specific example, two separableclip members through portions of which the axle pin is disposed. FIG. 14illustrates another specific example of an embodiment of a clip.

FIG. 15 illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of thisinvention comprising a clip, a band, and tokens and charms. Tokens andcharms may be integrated with, attached to, disposed upon, formed insideof, or otherwise connected to clips, bands, pins, and some otherembodiments of the instant invention.

FIG. 16A illustrates one specific example of an embodiment of a pin. Inthis example, the pin comprises a barbed member having a head and a tip,and a fitted cap. FIG. 16B illustrates one specific example of anembodiment of a pin comprising a tapered screw having a head and a tip,and a mated nut cap. FIG. 16C illustrates specific examples of someembodiments of pins comprising thin, sharp-tipped rods of differentsizes having heads and tips, and fitted compression caps. FIG. 16D showsa schematic illustration of a safety pin which may be used according tosome embodiments of methods of the instant invention.

FIG. 17 shows a drawing of a prototype of one specific example of anembodiment of the instant invention comprising a clip, a band, and atoken.

FIG. 18 shows a 3D CAD model of a prototype of one specific example ofan embodiment of a clip.

FIG. 19 shows a 3D CAD model of a prototype of one specific example ofan embodiment of a token.

FIG. 20 shows a sketch of a prototype of one specific example of anembodiment of the instant invention comprising a clip, a band and atoken.

FIGS. 21-23 are photographs of prototypes of three specific examples ofsome embodiments of the instant invention comprising one or more of aclip, a Velcro band and a dinosaur token.

Illustrative examples of external devices comprise, but are not limitedto, smart and other scales, cell phones, tablet computers, PDAs,e-readers (e.g. Kindle™ and Nook™), hearing aids, laptop and desktopcomputers, monitors and displays, televisions, calculators, iPods™ andMP3 players, radios and stereos, watches with electrical circuits,remote controls, bar code readers, keyboards, cameras, other inputdevices, data acquisition systems, other electrical devices comprising,e.g., microcontrollers, programmable interface controllers, digitalsignal processors, memories, field programmable gate arrays, discretecircuits, and other electrical circuits and hardware, including customapplication specific integrated circuits (ASIC). In some embodiments ofthe instant invention, vehicles, residences and other buildings havingappropriate circuitry (e.g. microcontrollers, DSPs, transceiver modules,input devices, etc. . . . ) may comprise external devices and/or systemsas defined herein. In addition, the world-wide-web, the Verizon™wireless 4G LTE™ cellular network, and LANs are three illustrativeexamples of networks.

It should be noted that the figures and examples they represent areprovided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limitthe scope of the instant invention.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changesand modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spiritand purview of this application or scope of the appended claims. Allpublications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

I claim:
 1. A means comprising one or more of a clip, a band and a pin for securing pants cuffs and otherwise raised or shortened pants legs.
 2. A means comprising hardware and one or more of a clip, a band and a pin, for securing pants cuffs and otherwise raised or shortened pants legs.
 3. The means of claim 2, wherein the hardware comprises a microcontroller.
 4. The means of claim 2, wherein the hardware comprises one or more sensing means.
 5. The means of claim 2, wherein the hardware comprises circuitry for ascertaining GPS data.
 6. The means of claim 2, wherein the hardware comprises one or more means for generating sound.
 7. The means of claim 2, wherein the hardware comprises one or more display elements or lights.
 8. A method for securing a pants cuff comprising the steps of rolling up a pants leg into a cuff and attaching one or more of a clip, a band and a pin to the cuff. 